Home : health : 10 Warning Signs For The Onset Of Multiple Myeloma

10 warning signs for the onset of multiple myeloma

10 warning signs for the onset of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is cancer developing in the plasma cell, a type of white blood cell in the body. Cancerous plasma cells develop in the bone marrow, causing a reduction in healthy cells, and the condition may or may not entail symptoms at the initial stages. Doctors typically recommend blood and urine tests, bone-marrow tests, imaging tests, etc., to diagnose the condition. Here are some early multiple myeloma (MM) warning signs that should not be ignored:

Anemia
Since the cancerous plasma cells multiply rapidly, they may outnumber the healthy cells, including healthy red blood cells in the body, leading to low blood count and anemia. Doctors often recommend the inclusion of iron-rich food in the meal plans of MM patients to increase their blood count. Foods like leafy greens, poultry, eggs, beans, sardines, prunes, dates, and fatty fish can help increase one’s hemoglobin levels and aid overall immunity. To ensure iron absorption, individuals should supplement iron-rich foods with foods high in vitamin C, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, and cruciferous vegetables.

Osteoporosis
The cancerous myeloma cells develop in the bone marrow and can lead to bone brittleness and damage. Such symptoms may result in the onset of osteoporosis, a condition common among patients with MM. Patients with MM may experience excruciating bone pain with any movement or experience pain particularly at night.

Low platelet count
Low platelet count among individuals with MM results from the bone marrow’s inability to produce healthy cells. Many patients with MM suffer from low platelet counts as a result.

Hypercalcemia
Over calcification in the body can result in a condition called hypercalcemia, common in patients with MM due to bone damage. Hypercalcemia may also lead to other health conditions, including blood-chemical imbalance.

Hyperviscosity and blood clotting
Hyperviscosity refers to blood thickening and is prevalent among individuals grappling with MM. Blood thickening leads to the formation of blood clots, which can prevent blood from flowing to different parts of the body, including the arms, legs, and groin.

Kidney problems
Up to 40% of patients with MM suffer from kidney failure due to increased cancerous plasma cells, which produce several antibodies. When released into the blood, these antibodies can trigger serious kidney problems.

Fractures
Patients with MM may suffer from fractures, even with basic or slight movements, owing to bone brittleness. Note that unusual fractures are often a warning sign of MM; a doctor should be consulted immediately in such cases.

Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath or dyspnea is common among MM patients due to the generation of M proteins and cancerous myeloma cells.

Sleep disturbance
Sleep issues, including insomnia, may be caused by different factors, such as bone pain, fractures, deteriorating mental health due to the disease, and side effects of the MM treatment.

Immunodeficiency and infections
Immunodeficiency due to MM can trigger infections, typically leading to side effects of treatments administered to patients.

Besides following the treatment course prescribed by healthcare professionals, individuals with MM must follow certain other measures, such as avoiding high-potassium foods and foods high in salt content, which can aggravate kidney problems, and having fiber-rich foods. Such measures can help control MM symptoms and ensure a better response to treatment.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.
5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.
Four important steps in anemia management

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.